Hibernation is one of the power states available on modern Windows 10 laptops and desktops. In some scenarios, users may want to disable hibernation on Windows 10 to troubleshoot various hardware or software issues. This article will show you how to turn off hibernation in Windows 10.
What is Hibernation in Windows 10?
Consider hibernation as an advanced shutdown mode. Instead of the regular power-off procedure that requires closing all apps and saving documents, hibernation allows you to shut down a computer in an instant. When a PC hibernates, it takes a snapshot of a Windows kernel and drivers. Then the operating system saves the snapshot and everything in RAM in a separate file on your HDD or SSD. When you turn your PC back on, Windows restores its state from a hibernation file.
Note. Hibernation might not be available on your computer if the chipset driver is missing. Make sure you have the latest chipset driver for your motherboard.
What is the Difference Between Sleep, Shutdown, and Hibernation in Windows 10?
Here are the main differences between sleep, shutdown, and hibernation in Windows 10:
- Sleep mode is a power-saving mode. Windows disables most of the components inside your computer, leaving RAM and everything inside it powered on.
- In hibernation, a computer turns off completely and does not consume power. You can disconnect a hibernating computer from a power source without losing any data, even in open applications.
- Hybrid Sleep mode combines sleep and hibernation. Opened files and applications are saved in memory and on HDD or SSD. Hybrid sleep mode lets you power on your computer much faster.
Disable Hibernation in Windows 10 to Free Up Disk Space
Waking the computer from hibernation is faster than turning it on. Also, it does not require closing applications or saving files (open tabs in your browser might restart). On regular computers with Windows 10, the hibernation file weights approximately 75% of RAM capacity. If your computer has 8 GB of RAM, the size of the hiberfil.sys is 6 GB.
Important. Do not try to delete the hiberfil.sys file in Windows 10 in an attempt to disable hibernation (Windows would restore the file anyway). The only way to delete the hiberfil.sys file is to turn off hibernation in Windows 10.
You can find the hiberfil.sys file in the root directory of the system drive C:. It is impossible to transfer the hibernation file to another drive because the kernel loader can only see the disk partition where the loader is installed.
Disabling hibernation in Windows 10 is one way to reclaim free storage on your system drive. If the computer runs out of storage on the system drive, disable the hibernation in Windows 10. When you turn off hibernation, Windows 10 also deletes the hiberfil.sys file. Keep in mind that you cannot use fast startup when hibernation is off. But the truth is that modern and relatively powerful computers show little to no difference in boot time with enabled and disabled hibernation.
How to Disable Hibernation in Windows 10 with Command Prompt?
- Press Win + R and type cmd. Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run the command as Administrator. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
- Now you need to enter a command to disable hibernation in Windows 10:
powercfg.exe / hibernate off
- Press Enter and close Command Prompt.
How to Enable Hibernate on Windows 10?
To enable hibernation in Windows 10:
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Enter the following command:
powercfg.exe / hibernate on
- Press Enter.
How to Reduce the hiberfil.sys File Size in Windows 10?
You can keep hibernation on in Windows 10 with a slightly reduced hiberfil.sys file. In such a case, Windows does not allow you to manually hibernate, but fast startup remains on. Again, you need to execute a command in an elevated Command Prompt:
powercfg / h / type reduced
To restore the hibernation file to its full size, use the following command:
powercfg / h / type full
How to Stop Your Laptop from Hibernating?
- Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
- Type in and run the command:
powercfg.exe / h off
Disable Hibernation in Windows 10 using Control Panel
- Press Win + R and enter the control command to launch Control Panel in Windows 10.
- Change the view to Large or Small Icons.
- Open the Power Options section.
- Click the Change plan settings next to your current power plan.
- Click the Change advanced power settings link.
- In a new window, expand the Sleep section.
- Expand the Allow hybrid sleep section and select Setting: Off.
- Repeat the same for the Hibernate after setting.
- Click Ok to save changes.
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